5 charged in robbery, beating on NW Side

Five Elmwood Park youths were charged with beating and robbing a pizzeria owner on Chicago's Northwest Side after the owner identified at least three of them through photographs they'd posted on Facebook, Cook County prosecutors said today.

All five were charged with aggravated battery and robbery in the attack on Pasquale DiDiana, 49, early Sunday outside Baci Pizza, 3225 N. Harlem Ave. in the Schorsch Village neighborhood on the Northwest Side.

According to prosecutors, Suarez and Diaz had been harassing an employee at the restaurant. When the owner went outside to see what the problem was, the five youths punched and kicked him and stole his wallet, phone and keys, they said.

"While the victim is on the ground, he hears one defendant yell, 'This is what he gets for messing with the Wolf gang,' " said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office.

Police arrived and arrested Suarez and Diaz at the scene, Conklin said. The owner recognized Suarez as someone who had played hockey with his son, and he later identified the rest of the suspects through photographs posted on Suarez's Facebook profile.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. on Monday set bond at $40,000 for each of the defendants.

A restaurant manager contacted Monday said DiDiana suffered cuts and bruises in the attack but was otherwise OK.